ALTON, Mo. –University of Missouri Extension and representatives of local organizations have been meeting to discuss the Healthy Lifestyle Initiative in Oregon County.

The statewide extension initiative takes a whole-community approach to improving the health of citizens by increasing access to fresh produce and physical activities.

What is different about this initiative is the focus on policy and environment changes that encourage residents to make healthy choices.

“Policy and environment changes are sustainable because once those changes are made they become the norm,” said Ann Cohen, associate state nutrition specialist and co-director of the MU-based initiative.